Dust content in the air: A case study of the Afanasyevsky open pit mine (Russia)

Efficient use and protection of the subsoil is a part of rational nature management in the mineral base of Ukrainian regions and Ukraine as a whole. The components for the rational use of the subsoil include a comprehensive development of mineral deposits, a comprehensive use of mineral raw materials and mining waste, optimization of the structure of mining production and mineral raw materials consumption. The rational use of mineral resources in the modern interpretation of this issue extends to all stages of their development, including the issue of waste disposal. A huge amount of mining waste has been accumulated in administrative regions of Ukraine, and the issue of their disposal has gone beyond just an economic and ecological problem and has acquired a significant socio-demographic significance. Environmental problems have become particularly acute due to the accumulation of toxic waste, among which the most dangerous are heavy metals, petroleum products and acid tars. For the sustainable development of Ukraine, it is necessary not only to develop new reserves of natural raw materials, but also technogenic minerals accumulated in more than 1,600 man-made deposits and objects. The further development of the mineral base requires, at the state level, an urgent solution to problems that hinder the development and ecological rehabilitation on the ground of rational use.

The relevance of the work is explained by the need to increase the mineral raw materials extraction volume to meet the demands of industries. The purpose of the work. Formation of new relations in the field of extraction and processing of mineral resources, reducing the contradictions between technology, society and the environment. Materials and methods: systematization, generalization and analysis of theoretical studies using predictive methods. Results. A reference is given on the consumption of mineral resources and the formation of waste from the processing of raw materials. The features of the possession of minerals and the influence of this factor on the formation of world politics are characterized. The urgency of the problem of preserving the natural environment and rational use of subsurface reserves is substantiated. The growth rates of resource production up to 2025 are given. The main directions in the field of mineral resources development are formulated. The article describes an instrument for the implementation of state control over the protection of the subsoil, in which the preservation of the Earth’s surface and its restoration in case of violation by mining operations play a priority role. Recommended measures for rational and integrated use to prevent the loss of raw materials. A model of the economic efficiency of nature conservation according to the criterion improve environmental management. The expediency of cooperation between industrial enterprises in order to increase production efficiency through waste disposal is substantiated. It is shown that the future of mankind depends on the reasonable treatment of nature and the rational use of natural resources, and the efficiency of subsoil use is ensured by the solution of legal and economic problems. Resume. 1. The article substantiates the formation of new relations in the field of extraction and processing of mineral resources, reducing the contradictions among technology, society and the environment. 2. The results of the article can be in demand as an element of the methodology of educating a new attitude to nature which is a link in the system of overcoming antagonistic contradictions between technology and nature.

The paper presents the estimates of Polands’s reserves of mineral raw materials after World War II until 2005. This refers to energy minerals (methane, natural gas, oil, black and brown coals), metal ores (iron, copper, lead and zinc) and chemical mineral raw materials (sulphur, rock salt). The period of 1960–1980 was characterised by a dynamic increase of the reserves. In many cases, it was an effect of discoveries of new large deposits, and even large mineral-rich areas. The amount of reserves increased three to four times compared with its volume in 1960. For instance, sulphur reserves increased seven times, natural gas – sixteen times. Discoveries of new deposits as well as intense mining have caused a change in geographical distribution of the main mining centres. However, the last 15 years have been characterised by a depletion of reserves and a drop in the mining extraction. Mining of iron ores and sulphur has been abandoned, and lead and zinc deposits have been significantly depleted. Generally, the role of the potential of mineral raw materials has greatly weakened in the national economy.

Concentrations and Emissions of Airborne Dust in Livestock Buildings in Northern Europe

Global development and scientific and technological progress are intensifying the use of mineralraw materials (MRMs)—the necessary basis for the production of high-tech products. The advanced producing countries of these products are in dire need of various raw materials, which are critical and, as a rule, are supplied from third countries. Strategic is a mineral raw material, which is of particular importance for ensuring the economic development of the country, its defense and security. Due to the complex structure of extraction, processing and consumption of raw materials, many of its types are in short supply. In the world literature, the concept of “deficient MRMs” in its content most closely corresponds to “critical MRMs,” that is, raw materials that are critically needed for industry and are characterized by a significant risk of their supplies. Most critical raw materials are needed for production promising high-tech industrial products and new materials and, in particular, for “green technologies” in connection with the course of decarbonization of the economy actively pursued by world powers. In the production of such products, the consumption of MRMs is growing rapidly, especially rare-earth elements (REEs), V, Li and platinum-group elements (PGEs). From the list of 61 kinds of MRMs that are strategic for Russia, the extraction of oil, gas, Cu, Au, PGEs, Ni, apatite ores, K salts, and diamonds (as well as nonlisted coals, Fe ores, Na salts, V, B ores, magnesite, and chrysotile asbestos) fully covers their current domestic consumption in the Russian Federation and the achieved level of export. U, Mn, and Cr ores; Zr; high-purity quartz raw materials (SiO2); bauxite (Al); graphite; fluorite and nonstrategic barite; kaolin; and bentonite are deficient; their exploitation only partially provides domestic consumption, which is largely dependent on imports; it is carried out in insufficient volumes in the presence of significant reserves of relatively low quality. The most deficient in this list are Ti, Li, Ta, Nb, and REEs (usually, there are groups of heavy and light rare earths (HREEs and LREEs, respectively)): their domestic consumption is provided mainly by imports with very limited production (despite large reserves, including low quality ores). Re, Be, Nb, Ta, HREEs, Y, Sc, LREEs, Ge, Ga, Li, Hf, and Co, and, of nonstrategic MRMs, Bi and Sr, should be considered critical MRMs in the Russian Federation. The most important source of dispersed/ associated elements is represented by raw materials of mining enterprises of nonferrous metallurgy: Cu and Zn subsectors, In, Ge, Ga, Cd, Tl, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, etc.; Al subsectors, Ga; for Au and Au–Ag deposits, Sb, As, Te, Se, Bi, Tl. An associated source of lithium is represented by brines of gas-condensate fields. The issues of assessing complex raw materials for high-tech industry are considered using the example of pyrite, porphyry, and gold-ore deposits of the Ural folded region, which play an important role in its overall metallogenic potential.

The article discusses the spatial development of non-urban areas based on the use of local peat resources. Creating a methodology for the advanced spatial development of non-urban areas has peat resources based on multi- criteria optimisation of production and social infrastructures. The industrial and social infrastructure of the non-urban areas having reserves of peat, associated mineral, and industrial raw materials. Regularities, trends, and features of formation and functioning of the productive and social infrastructure of the natural and man-made complex in the development of peat reserves, associated mineral, and industrial raw materials. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to conduct interdisciplinary research and solve the following specific objectives: (1) the scientific justification of new technological processes and equipment for peat and mineral raw materials processing for obtaining new composite materials for multiple purposes; (2) the feature analysis of the use of local peat resources to provide the development of non-urban areas based on a set of scientific approaches; (3) the development of the methodology for project management of the natural and man-made complex to ensure multi-criteria optimisation of productive and social infrastructure. The example of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra development selected results of confronting the existing “big grand” and national challenges through the mechanisms of rational use of local peat resources non-urban areas are illustrated. The results indicated that by 2030 there would be a 3.8-fold increase in mineral extraction and a 5.9-fold increase in processing industries.

Introduction. Regions with developed mining and mining processing industries are characterized, as a rule, by intense anthropogenic impact on the environment. It is necessary to assess the scale of the environmental impact taking into account a number of factors, such as: geographical location, climatic conditions, quantity and quality of extracted minerals, as well as technological indicators of their development. The negative impact on the environment during the extraction of minerals can be local, regional and global in nature. If local problems may be solved directly within the framework of a mining enterprise by applying environmental measures, then regional and global impacts need to be addressed taking into account many factors. An example of the regional and global scale of the impact of a mining enterprise on the environment is its impact on atmospheric air. Significant amounts of dust and gas emissions can spread beyond the territory of the sanitary protection zone, resulting in the migration of pollutants into water bodies and soils, and chemical transformations in the atmosphere will lead to the formation of acid rain, destruction the ozone layer and the emergence of the greenhouse effect. To ensure environmental safety in mining regions, it is necessary to reduce atmospheric air pollution, the effectiveness of which is assessed taking into account the results of a geoecological assessment, evaluation of the natural potential of the territory, analysis of anthropogenic load, protection of the territory of mining areas. In the geoecological assessment of anthropogenic impact, it is necessary be aware of the scale of the environmental impact of mining enterprises and apply a regional indicator that should take into account the specifics of enterprises and the effectiveness of environmental protection measures. The purpose of the work. Carrying out an assessment of territories subject to geoecological changes in the environment, consider the results of a geoecological assessment, evaluation of the natural potential and protection of the territory, analysis of anthropogenic load and a regional indicator that takes into account the scale of impact, the specifics of the enterprise, technological features of field development and the effectiveness of environmental protection measures. Methodology. The research was conducted on the basis of an analysis of literary data from Russian and foreign sources. Methods of geoecological assessment, patterns of interrelation of gas and dust emissions from mining facilities were considered, patterns of distribution of emissions in the air were evaluated, taking into account the specifics of the relief and climate of the mining region, and technological features of field development. The paper proposes a general concept of geoecological regulation by determining the composition and volume of pollutants from the technological process, taking into account the carbon footprint of the enterprise, assessing the relationship between gas and dust emissions from mining facilities and the patt erns of emissions in the air. The purpose of the research. Assessment of methods for determining the composition and volume of pollutants from the technological process, taking into account the carbon footprint of the enterprise, assessment of the regularity of the spread of emissions in the air, considering the specifics of the relief and climate of the mining region, as well as technological features of the field development. Results and discussion. As a result of the work, patterns of emission of gas and dust emissions into the atmosphere from technological processes at a mining enterprise have been established, taking into account climatic conditions and terrain. It is proposed to conduct a geoecological assessment of a mining enterprise taking into account the natural potential and protection of the territory, to form a structure for estimating specific emissions, which allows further taking into account the carbon footprint for the enterprise. Conclusions. It is proposed to use specific direct and indirect emissions of the enterprise when conducting a geoecological assessment of the impact of mining enterprises on atmospheric air, which will allow further use of data to assess the carbon footprint of the enterprise.

Raw materials are of great importance for humankind as they enable the development of technology, drive industry and economy, and overall the lifestyle we know today. The paper is addressing the topic of interactive learning about the mineral raw materials, i.e. metals and non-metals. Due to population growth and consequently increased global demand for raw materials, there is a need to educate younger generations about the raw materials and their properties and origin, so they would know from an early age where the mineral products they use come from and how purchase decisions affect the social environments of people who live in countries with resources exploitation. Today’s trends in mining are oriented towards more sustainable exploitation and management, taking into account the economic, social and environmental aspects. An example of such is exploitation of secondary raw materials from tailings and heaps. But in some countries, mining is stuck in the past, using obsolete technologies causing increased pollution and strongly present linear economy approaches of take-use-dispose attitudes or even unethical approaches, such as children being exploited as a cheap workforce, people being abducted, tortured and even killed over minerals (minerals being exploited in such way are called blood or conflict minerals). Further, due to the potential negative impacts on health and safety, due to the emissions in air, water and surface disturbance, the public perception of mining is still perceived as negative in most cases. School curriculums most often lack description of current situations in the global mining. Therefore, within the EIT RawMaterials BRIEFCASE and 3D BRIЕFECASE projects the project partners provide the comprehensive view of the issues of today’s mining and use of raw materials. The paper presents the description of both projects and the non-conventional teaching methods — the hands-on and digital tools for pupils and teachers, i.e. the briefcases, the "Briefcase of mineral applications" game, workshops and the supporting materials. The main objective of projects is to raise the pupils’ awareness about the utility and indispensability of minerals and mining and the consequences of their uses and production systems, which would increase in the long term the awareness about the social and environmental consequences of raw material production.

This article addresses the issues of ensuring environmental safety of the filtration, drying, and roasting installation at a mining and metallurgical enterprise. It examines the characteristics of flotation enrichment processes and their impact on the environment. The main sources of harmful effects are described, including gas and dust emissions, waste rock dumps, tailings ponds, and industrial wastewater. Methods for wastewater treatment and dust and gas emissions purification are presented. The project of a pilot industrial plant at a hydrometallurgical plant is analyzed, including dust and gas cleaning technology, waste generation, and water consumption. The environmental safety of the designed facility is assessed.

Within the Kolubara basin, during the Upper Pontian, the limnic (lake, swamp) coal-bearing series with coal seams and accompanying sediments was developed. The accompanying sediments are found in the floor and roof of the coal-bearing series, i.e., coal as the most strategically important mineral raw material. In particular, in the unexcavated part of the deposit “Tamnava-West field”, there are significant reserves of coal and non-metallic mineral raw materials that can be used in industry. Thus, gravels can be used in construction and road construction, while quartz sands represent an important industrial raw material (production of glass, ceramics, chemical industry, filter material for water treatment...). The paper will present a detailed analysis of gravel, sand and coal.

The purpose. The main purpose of the study is the identification of natural and technological types and grades of ores, followed by their spatial zoning within the studied deposit. Methods. The methods of interpolation and approximation of the initial data were used to display the surface relief and distribution of minerals. The choice of method depends on the amount of initial data and its uniformity. For spatial interpolation, the Kriging and radial basis functions methods were used, which allows us to identify general patterns of distribution of the studied parameters. For fast data evaluation with a large number of points, the methods of minimum curvature and triangulation are used. The results of the study include the creation of a digital model of the deposit, mapping of mineral deposits with analysis of spatial changes, and estimation of copper and zinc reserves. The use of GIS made it possible to visualize the three-dimensional distribution of minerals in the wells, which simplified the analysis and improved its quality. Originality. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the improvement of the methodology for analyzing geological results at the stage of mining work planning, when the main strategic decisions regarding deposit development in the product quality management mode are made. The methodology allows for a reliable assessment and zoning of ore deposits based on qualitative characteristics. Practical implementation. The practical significance of the work lies in the use of GIS in the development of a system for comprehensive technical-ecological-economic assessment of the effectiveness of measures for managing the quality of mineral raw materials in complex conditions, where reserves of valuable mineral raw materials are concentrated in thin and very thin ore veins. The choice of technology for managing the quality of mineral raw materials is based on the results of the assessment of the qualitative characteristics of minerals, the identification of natural types of ores in the ore massif based on geological information, the substantiation of the characteristics of technological types of ores, and their zoning in the underground space using geoinformation modeling.

Metallic magnesium has been included in the list of Critical Mineral Raw Materials (CRM) for European Union countries since 2010. The territory of the Slovak Republic has large reserves of mineral raw materials – magnesite and dolomite, which are the initial source of metal Mg. For technological research, the following raw materials (based on chemical analyses of samples) were chosen: dolomite ore from the Sedlice deposit (SED-1), Trebejov deposit (TR-1) and dolomite ore from the Kraľovany deposit (KRA-1). The second deposit is also located near the operation of a potential customer of laboratory results for the production of metal magnesium, OFZ a.s. The aim of the laboratory technological research was to determine the experimental conditions for obtaining suitable Mg intermediates for metal magnesium preparation. For this purpose, there were performed DTA/TG and XRD analyses to study its behaviour, total mass loss and amount of carbon dioxide after calcination process. By optimizing the annealing tests of dolomite, products were obtained that met two conditions for its subsequent use in the sillicothermal process, namely the molecular ratio of CaO/MgO, content of impurities and the content of CO2. The optimization of calcination and repeated annealing pointed at the suitable conditions of dolomite raw sample processing (temperature of 1 050 °C for 2.5 hours, or 1 100 °C for 2 hours).

The main strategic task of executive bodies of the Russian Federation is the creation of the institutional foundations for an effective Russian economy. The Russian economic interests in the Arctic are associated with colossal reserves of energy and mineral raw materials. The total cost of reconnoitered and projected resources more than $ 15 trillion. Here one-fifth of oil and near 60% of gas resources are concentrated. Also here the largest deposits of coal, gold, rare metals, a huge number of different biological resources are located. Nature and people are the two main riches of our country. Creation of conditions for preservation and effective use of these resources is the main task of the executive bodies at all levels. At the same time, the region economy effectiveness includes social and environmental security of the territory. This paper reviewed the main environmental and natural factors that are critical, to our mind, for the Arctic development. 1. Permafrost and global warming, low temperatures in winter season plus very short summer are determined the specificity of any production cycle in the Arctic. 2. The remoteness of the territory increases the cost of logistics of any goods and resources, as well as the road infrastructure. 3. Specificity of the energy resources supply of local production and life support facilities. 4. The need for institutional and legal adaptation of human resources, which are attracted to work in the Arctic, to local natural and geographical conditions in connection with the job duties performed. Our analysis allowed us to formulate a proposal for the formation of a strategy for the Arctic development by creating cluster-type support zones: a symbiosis of the territory of advanced development, a special economic zone, and a priority investment project.

To explore the occupational health risk level of silicosis caused by silica dust exposure in non-ferrous metal mining enterprises. Using typical sampling method, 44 non-ferrous metal mining enterprises were selected in seven provinces.37 non-ferrous metal mining enterprises were included, and most of them were underground enterprises(97.30%). Enterprises basic information and silica dust exposure data of key positions were collected by using on-site hygiene investigation and detecting method. Finally, the International Council on Mining and Metals'(ICMM) risk rating table method and occupational hazard risk index method(INDEX) were used to analyze the occupational health risk level of silicosis caused by silica dust exposure in non-ferrous metal mines from total and respirable dust views, respectively. Meanwhile, the square weighted Kappa test was performed to analyze the consistency between two risk assessment method. Medium enterprises(64.69%(40.38%, 73.41%)), silver mining enterprises(84.69%(63.38%, 86.06%)) and antimony mining enterprises(72.22%) had relatively higher silica dust exposure rates. On-site hygiene detecting result showed that:(1) M(P25, P75) of free silica content was 21.18%(17.03%, 30.47%). (2) 1.60(0.86, 2.46)mg/m~3 for total dust concentration, 64.47% total dust concentration samples exceeding Chinese permissible concentration-time weighted average(PC-TWA), 0.68(0.30, 1.18) mg/m~3 for respiratory dust concentration, 50.00% respirable dust concentration samples exceeding Chinese PC-TWA. (3) Medium-sized enterprises, as well as rock drillers and crushers, had higher levels of silica dust exposure. Occupational health risk assessment result showed that:(1) The overall occupational health risk level of silicosis caused by silica dust exposure in non-ferrous metal mining enterprises was medium:(1) In term of total dust, ICMM risk rating table method and INDEX method indicated high and medium risks, respectively(S_(weighted) were 3.52 and 2.79). (2) In term of respirable dust, both ICMM risk rating table and INDEX method indicated medium risks(S_(weighted) were 2.78 and 2.35). (2) Medium-sized enterprises risk level was higher than other two production scales enterprises. ICMM risk rating table method and the INDEX method consistency analyses showed that these two risk assessment method had strong consistencies in terms of total dust or respirable dust(both Kappa values ≥ 0.600). The overall occupational health risk level of silicosis caused by silica dust exposure in non-ferrous metal mining enterprises was medium, and the risk levels of medium production-scale mining enterprises, rock driller and crusher were higher.

Considering the development levels of countries, contributions of mineral recovery from mining tailings and urban mining wastes to sustainability criteria – A review